Today we pray to the Lord our God, “Fill us … that we may gain WISDOM.”  In the letter to the Hebrews – God is portrayed as an artist; an artist creating a masterpiece; we are part of that masterpiece.

The kingdom of God is a gift we cannot earn; BUT it is a gift we can throw away.  We are called to use our worldly riches to build up the Kingdom of God; not to bound to them.  Jesus is not saying that wealth/riches are bad in and of themselves; BUT they can make the path of the Kingdom very hard to follow.

All we have, whether a hut in the mountains, or a mansion in Palm Springs, is a gift from God, and no matter how hard we work tilling the soil or managing our stock portfolio – in the end all is a gift from God!  A key ingredient of WISDOM is acknowledging that all we have is a gift from God!  Our job is to discern what God wants us to do with the gifts God has given us.  Jesus is offers us true, lasting wisdom; He promises that it will satisfies us.

WISDOM is realizing that God created us and loves us.

WISDOM is realizing that God walks our journey with us.

WISDOM is believing that the Word of God became flesh in Jesus Christ.

As disciples of Jesus Christ we should hold the Gospels in our hearts; they should be the center of our lives, all we say, do and believe should emanate from them!  Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Only through believing … does faith grow and become stronger.”  Believing should be at the center of our being; believing should permeate our lives!

Today reflect on the gift of the Kingdom.   

May God Be Praised!

Join me and cry out from the depths of your heart to the Lord who hears us.  “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143]  God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]

Provide strength to the first responders and medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]